Pest Advice Blog

Why do centipedes live in basements?

Have you seen a centipede? They’re creepier than you think. Check them out. There might even be some in your basement. Nobody wants the creepy crawler running out from under something.

What is a centipede?

Centipedes are long bugs with a pair of legs per body segment. They have a lot of legs, but no centipede has exactly 100 legs. Their size ranges from a couple millimetres to about 30 cm. Centipedes are found in many different habitats, but are drawn to moisture. Their colour usually is a mixture of browns and reds.

All over the world there is an estimated 8,000 species of centipedes. With so many species their geographical range stretches to the many corners of the globe. Centipedes can even be found in the Arctic Circle. Their environments range from rainforests to deserts. Centipedes are attracted to moisture because they lack the waxy cuticle of insects causing them to rapidly lose water. Commonly they are found in soil, under stones and wood, and inside logs.

So, why do they live in your basement?

Centipedes like your basement because a lot of the time it’s an area that has significant moisture. Basements can have a collection of moisture for a variety of different reasons. There could be water from rain or ground-water, interior moisture sources such as humidifiers, laundry, bathroom, cooking and left in concrete from construction, and water can come from exterior humid air. These dark moist corners are places a centipede would most likely be situated in the house. They could be hiding under large flat objects that resemble the log, stong or soil from nature.

In avoiding centipedes in your basement it’s important to identify sources of moisture coming into your basement. Inadequate grading of the house’s foundation can lave opens for water to enter your home. Missing or broken gutters and downspouts can see overflow water collect near the bottom of the house. Poorly designed window wells could have collecting water that enters through basement windows.

Signs of centipedes.

It’s difficult to determine any major infestations unless you stumble across an actual living centipede. They hide under different items and their flat bodies makes it easy for them to go unnoticed. However, in some cases centipedes may bite humans. Most of the time it’s harmless and smaller centipedes won’t even pierce the skin. But, some species can be hazardous to humans. Bites can be painful and may cause severe swelling, chills, fever and weakness. Centipede bites are rarely fatal. They can be dangerous in children or individuals with an allergy.

Controlling centipedes.

To help control any larger populations it’s important to reduce their food source. Many centipedes eat small insect. It’s a good idea to identify any other insect problems you might have in the house. Larger populations of small bugs can mean a bigger food supply for centipedes. Centipedes can move very fast and bite when handled. For common house centipedes sticky traps might work in controlling populations. It can also help find their points of entry. Sealing any entry routes will keep centipedes out. Reduce moisture in basements by figuring out where the water might be coming from.

Sudbury centipede removal.

If you find any creepy crawlers in your home it’s good to control the problem right away. Don’t let it get out of control. At first sign of centipedes contact Truly Nolen Pest Control.